Trent Lands Plan

Trent Lands Plan

Trent Lands Plan

One of Trent University’s most significant assets is its 1,450 acres of land holdings consisting of the Core Campus, the Endowment Lands, and the Nature Areas.

Since the original 1964 Master Plan for Trent there has been a vision to carefully and thoughtfully develop portions of the Endowment Lands to support the Trent and Peterborough communities. Other Universities have been able to successfully use their lands to enhance the student experience, foster new research and academic partnerships, create experiential learning and employment opportunities, provide services to local neighbourhoods, and generate additional revenue streams for strategic projects.

The Endowment Lands Master Plan (2006) and the Trent Lands Plan (2013) guide the development of the Endowment Lands so that the Trent community and Peterborough region may enjoy these benefits. The plans are intended to outline potential uses for the lands and priority staging. As each project enters an exploratory or feasibility stage, appropriate assessments (e.g. geotechnical, environmental, archaeological, financial) will be undertaken, public consultations will be held, and Board of Governors approval will be required.

The Trent Lands Plan is guided by the following principles:

Respect the unique cultural heritage, history, context and setting

Enhance the University and support the campus community

Strengthen integration, connectivity and relationships with the surrounding communities

Protect and enhance natural areas

Enhance and create high-quality public spaces and architecture

Commit to planning and design excellence and innovation

Target sustainable initiatives and projects

Limitations such as lack of servicing and limited market potential restricted Trent’s ability to move ahead and develop key parcels of the Endowment Lands until recently. In 2015 the University signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Peterborough to extend servicing to the East Bank which will allow the location of the new municipal arena complex and the creation of the long anticipated Trent Research & Innovation Park (TRIP).

Trent’s natural setting is uppermost in the development of these plans. Fifty per cent of Trent lands is designated as Nature Areas, natural buffers, and wildlife corridors. The University’s network of trails allows visitors to view the Nature Areas and tour a large part of the campus.

Trent has a commitment to proactively share information about the Trent Lands and associated developments. In addition to public open houses, this website will continue to be updated as information and details come available. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to share them at any time by emailing the Trent Lands Plan address.

Notice

The City of Peterborough approved the TRIP Master Plan and Draft Plan of Subdivision at the July 31, 2017 City Council meeting.